NOVEMBER 2007 VOLUME 4 NO. 3
Benefits Open Enrollment Nov. 1-27
Open Enrollment for UC health and wellness benefits plans runs from Nov. 1 to 27. Visit At Your Service online and select the “Open Enrollment 2008” icon. Once there, you’ll be able to review your enrollments; read about plan benefits, services and changes for 2008; see what the medical plan rates for 2008 will be; and use some helpful planning tools.
UC has restructured medical plan options for 2008. There will be decreases in employee premiums in some medical plans and slight premium increases in other plans.
As in the past, UC employee premiums are based on salary to help protect employees in the lower pay ranges and those with children from the impact of premium increases.
During Open Enrollment, you can
- Change to a different medical plan
- Change to a different dental plan (California residents only)
- Enroll eligible family members in your health plans
- Enroll or re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare). Even if you are enrolled in these plans, you must re-enroll to participate in 2008.
- Enroll in the ARAG Legal Plan, or if already enrolled, add family members
- Opt out of your medical, dental, or vision plan, or enroll in a new plan if you previously opted out
- Change participation in the Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) program (enrollment is automatic unless you opt out)
- Taking into account plan changes for 2008, if you are satisfied with your current coverage and do not need to make any changes for next year, you need not take any Open Enrollment action (except for HCRA and DepCare enrollment)
You must complete your Open Enrollment changes by Nov. 27. They will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2008.
Notice to Employees in the Registered Nurse, Patient Care Technical and UC Merced Skilled Crafts Bargaining Units: Changes in employee contribution rates for medical plan options are subject to negotiations with unions representing employees in bargaining units for which the contract is expired or for which the parties are engaged in negotiations.
Changes in employee contributions for 2008 announced in the Open Enrollment communications that are being issued to all participants will not become effective for employees in the Registered Nurse, Patient Care Technical and UC Merced Skilled Crafts Units until UC and union representatives reach agreement or until otherwise implemented in accordance with the requirements of HEERA.
Due to operational requirements, the medical plan options made available on the Web site and in written communication to all employees during Open Enrollment will reflect the new employee contribution rate for all participants.
Employees in the Registered Nurse, Patient Care Technical and UC Merced Skilled Crafts Units can make enrollment changes during Open Enrollment, and they will be charged the applicable employee contribution rate until UC and their unions’ representatives reach agreement or until otherwise implemented in accordance with the requirements of HEERA.